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Go on ... Try Something New! Rachel Wilkinson Here you are again! Maybe you’re munching away on a Vanbrugh baguette between rehearsals; perhaps at your computer having a ‘rest’ from all that Facebook stalking you’ve been doing recently; but, whatever the situation, you’ve got time to kill. And let’s be honest, you couldn’t find a better way to kill it. On the theme of killing time, I’m here again too. Life after ‘Thief Lane’s got Talent’ goes on, it seems, and it’s taking us all with it – regardless of whether we’ve got a parental permission slip or have picked up our lunchboxes. When I was asked to write this, my brief was ‘something light-hearted’, which with the current weather system (it’s a local forecast) of dissertations, recitals, and the Rite of Spring is an interesting task. So here goes. This department is built on something of great importance, not only to us, but to a large proportion of the world. That’s right, Vanbrugh Bowl. Ok, so not really. We all know I’m talking about music. Although thinking about it, the two aren’t that dissimilar sometimes: They are both there for enjoyment – Vanbrugh Bowl is clearly campus’ answer to the Hollywood Bowl in the summer months with pantomimes, Shakespeare, and more games of Frisbee than Groundskeeper Willie could shake a fist at. They both have their ups and downs. Someone, at some point, is going to write a piece of music you don’t like, just as on some days you can’t face that tiny hill back up to the department after project breaks. As a music student, I love choosing new music, but finding things you can’t wait to play/sing can be a daunting mission, as can picking a path between all the duck poo out there. Which brings me to my first real thought. Not, I hasten to add, about bird faeces. Everyone has opinions about the music they like or dislike. Most people know the sort of music they enjoy performing and are quite happy in their choices, often never going against them in search of something different. Do we ever stop to think ‘Hmmmm, I wonder after this (insert generic Baroque composer here) I’ve been playing, it might be quite cool to give some (insert generic Classical/Romantic/twentieth-century/Scandinavian/Martian composer here) a go...’? Don’t get me wrong, I do love a bit of Baroque, but blimey, I couldn’t stick to it forever. The same goes for any of the aforementioned styles, except maybe Martian – I just can’t get enough of their ‘Ode to Jeff Wayne’*... It applies to the music you listen to as well – go on, try something new. After all, variety is the spice of life! So here’s the challenge, should you wish to accept it. Go and chat to a friend with differing musical tastes. Ask them what they like and perhaps, if you’re feeling daring, give it a go. I’m not saying you have to like what you hear or play, it’s not about that. It’s about venturing into the hazy mists of Folk music, Electronic music or, if you’re feeling particularly daring, something I believe the youth of today are calling Folktronica... and coming out at the other side with some slightly widened horizons about the music of the world around us, not just of the world within us. *Geeky reference alert YUMU recommends the Open Ear Club if you want to take Rachel’s advice and broaden your musical horizons...